For the Seahawks to have success offensively, Lynch must eat up yards and fuel the attack. Quarterback Russell Wilson is a threat as a passer and runner, but New England's defensive backfield is strong and Seattle's receivers are decent but unspectacular. Wilson was intercepted three times in the NFC title game, mistakes he must avoid against Darrelle Revis & Co. The best way to minimize mistakes and keep the ball out of Tom Brady's hands? Let Lynch accumulate yards. The Patriots were ninth in the NFL in rushing defense. Vince Wilfork, Rob Ninkovich, Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins have done a solid job clogging the middle. Lynch (1,306 yards) led the Seahawks to the best running attack in the NFL this season and he's a punishing runner, a guy who is almost possible to take down with just one tackler. The 215-pound Lynch could be the most important player on the field Sunday.

Tom Brady vs. Seahawks Defense

Seattle's unit is the best in football against the pass, limiting opponents to 185.6 yards in the air per game. But the conventional wisdom is that Seattle's soft spot — if there is a soft spot — is against the run and short pass. That's Brady's game, finding Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman for quick, short gains. Seattle has a pair of elite safeties in Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, so they figure to make life difficult for New England's receivers. Brady can also be controlled with a good pass rush, although New England's offensive line has been steadily improving all season. Seattle will need defensive end Michael Bennett (7 sacks) and linebacker Bruce Irvin (6.5 sacks) to put pressure on Brady. If they do — and if Gronkowski and Edelman find little space — the Patriots could struggle to reach the end zone.

OK, they're not squaring off on the field. But this is a delicious showdown between the best cornerbacks in the game. Revis, a future Hall of Famer, is in the Super Bowl for the first time and he has been a vital addition to the New England defense. Sherman, outspoken and glib, has emerged as the face of the Seattle defense — and perhaps the entire team — while developing into an elite player. He has a Super Bowl ring and could secure his place as the best corner in football with another title over Revis' team. The two have traded verbal barbs and have tussled on Twitter. While they've said nice things about each other recently, there's a rivalry. And what better stage to feed that rivalry than at the Super Bowl?

The coach hired by Bob Kraft faces the coach fired by Bob Kraft. Carroll was laughed out of New England in 1999, resurrecting his career at Southern Cal before returning to the NFL in Seattle. Last year, he won a Super Bowl and he's generally considered one of the best minds in football. Belichick has built a Hall of Fame career, even with the various scandals that have dogged him over the past decade. He has won three Super Bowls and the Patriots have been perennial contenders during his tenure. Another Super Bowl win will tie him with Chuck Noll for the most in history. Carroll is bidding for his second Super Bowl victory against the franchise that fired him after he went 27-21 in three seasons. Revenge? Redemption? Two of the great coaching minds in football square off.